galiano

In February we will be making our first visit to Las Vegas - driving from Vancouver BC. We'll be there for 4 nights, mainly to see a couple of shows ( Cirque and Blue Men ) and to take in the sights of this unique city. We would like suggestions for where to stay. Should we try to book a place right on the strip ? At a hotel that has one of the shows we want to see ? If we are away from the strip will it be really inconvenient ? We have no idea where to start but prefer something in the $ 200 range. Any suggestions ?

bratsandbeer

You could go on the websites of the hotels you are interested in and check when they have specials. Sign up on the websites to be emailed when there are specials rates.

We stayed at the Paris Hotel last time and we liked it. The Venetian would be a great place to stay if you could get a special rate. You might try emailing the Venetian.

We saw Mama Mia and Phanthom of the Opera last time and loved both shows.

Being on the strip is probably the best if you can find a hotel within your budget.

If you gamble and go back then you get the free rooms and the cheap prices. but if business is slow they may offer some good rates.

paula1470

I would definitely stay on the Strip. For $200 you should have a choice of hotels but a lot of depends on your exact dates. Weekends are higher than weekdays. If there is a big convention in town, rooms could be more costly.

I think the Blue Man Group is at the Venetian which is a great place to stay. Sometimes the hotels have a package deal with room and theater tickets. I would check into this.

You really don't need a car in Las Vegas if you stay on the Strip. I would just park my car and either walk or use other transportation systems such as the bus, taxi or the monorail. That's why it is usually good to try to stay more in the center or the Strip. If you decide to see sights outside of the city (like Valley of Fire) or Hoover Dam, then you'd have your car for those excursions.

Here is a link to a Strip hotel map which is very helpful in deciding where to stay.

http://www.lasvegashotel.com/map.htm

paula1470

bratsandbeer has a good suggestion about getting on their email list for specials. Looks like The Venetian has a special for Blue Man and a room (for a 2 night stay). Doesn't look like you can book next year yet but you could always email or call them.

Liam

I stayed at the Venetian last September and was most pleased. I would stay there again in a heartbeat (though I spent the entire time humming "Think of Me" from Phantom... walk inside for ten minutes and you'll understand). Other places I'd consider: Paris or Caesars. If budget isn't an issue, Bellagio or the Wynn. A friend stayed at Treasure Island and liked it (should be cheaper than most), and I've heard the Flamingo can be a decent bargain.

I'd HIGHLY recommend seeing Cirque's "O" which is at Bellagio. Seats in the middle of the theatre (not the most expensive ones) are good enough as you can see the scope of the entire production.

Vegas is HUGE. Just getting from my room at the Venetian to the street outside took 15 minutes of quick walking. Each property has at least a 1/4 mile frontage on the Strip. It takes a long time to get from one place to another, so I would not recommend staying anywhere but the middle of the Strip.

Carrabella

www.cheapovegas.com gives reviews of all casinos and service they provide.

casey_reed84

As this is your first time to Vegas you must stay on the strip. February is a busy time of year and more expensive than summer and Christmas time but you should find plenty of good options for $200 or less as long as you staying on a weekday. If you decide to stay off the strip it won't be too inconvenient as there is free parking garages at nearly every hotel.

Blue Man Group is a good show but for the price of their ticket you could see a lot of better ones. Save the $200 bucks for the tickets and go see another Cirque show. You will be addicted.

kelliebellie

My dad is staying at the Desert Rose for a trade show in October. It has good reviews and has a kitchen and is very reasonably priced. It is just a block off the strip.

Definitely stay near or on the strip. I really liked staying at Paris. Anything in the Paris/Bellagio area is near the middle of the strip. There is a monorail system you should check into.

jt7dreamz

check out travelzoo.com they have a las vegas special. recently i saw and stayed at MGM (which was HUGE and overwhelming but nice) for $129 a night with a $25 credit. and that was in May over memorial day wkd... so more expensive than normal.

The venetian usually has specials for $199...

I'd stay away from the excaliber (cheesey)

RBCal

A car is worth it so you can get away from the Strip.

Everything is much cheaper off the strip, particularly restaurants.

I usually like to stay mid-strip so I can walk to other casinos or shows though.

galiano

Thank you all for the excellent suggestions, particularly about hotel location. I'll start looking for a hotel somewhere in the middle of the strip.

Although we have travelled to over 40 countries, Vegas is so unique we are quite excited about this trip.

I should have asked about the best place to buy show tickets or do you purchase them from the hotel with the show ? Are there any reputable discount options available ?

RBCal

The most popular shows sell out weeks in advance. If there is a specific show you want to see buy the tickets ahead of time.

For Cirque, the most popular shows are O, Mystere and LOVE (then Ka and Zumanity which I don't recommend much).

patsy214

I would definitely stay on the strip. I was in Vegas in July for the first time and I stayed at Paris Hotel and was really pleased. As one person said earlier - - just walking from your hotel to the street can take 15 minutes. Staying on the strip was very convenient and made the area very accessible.

bratsandbeer

Two years ago we decided we wanted to see Mama Mia at Mandalay Bay.
The tickets were about $100 so we didn't buy the tickets before leaving for LV. We happened to be in Mandalay Bay and decided for the heck of it to check on tickets. We were able to purchase tickets for $50. They were towards the back of the theater but it is smaller and no bad seats. Worked for us.
Don't know if other shows sell tickets cheaper the day of the performance if it isn't sold out but you could always check.

Little_Man

The Venetian/Palazzo would be a wonderful place for a first time visitor, especially if you're seeing Blue Man Group (which I thought was awful, btw.) Sign up for their email specials. Great location center strip.

purcellnyc

There are at least 2 locations in LV that sell TKTS at steep discounts for the day of performance. One by the HUGE shopping mall across from Wynn and the other down the Strip not far from MGM. Stay on the Strip and hoof it. Using the car will just get you stuck in traffic. Although Paris and Caesar's are the best, don't forget to check out older, central hotels like the Flamingo and Harrah's -- good deals.

Amybizx

I like staying in the strip, but downtown is worth checking out. A lot of money is going into it and some good deals can be had.

Here is a map of downtown and strip hotels
http://lasvegas.nyctourist.com/las-v...ls-casinos.php

banarasi

Just returned from las Vegas. We stayed at mandalay Bay. Wrong choice, it is on one end of the strip by the airport next to Luxor. Takes too long to go anywhere else on the strip. Having a car is of no help since there is no parking along the Strip. need to park in a hotel garage (valet). Stay in a hotel in Center Strip (Bellagio, paris, Caesars, Monte carlo, New York, Flamingo). Bellagio has "O" which is excellent. Don't bother with buffet in Bellagio, waste of money. Taxi from one end of the strip to other will be approx. $15. They have a tram service from MGM to the Convention center, $5 per trip or $9 per day per person. Mandalay bay has a free tram going up to Excalibur.

RBCal

Note you don't need to use the valet to park at any casino. There is free self parking at every casino.

Also, if you do drive don't drive on the strip since the traffic is terrible. If you drive one block away on Koval Lane there is little traffic. (If you take a cab tell the driver to go that way and you'll save a lot in cab fare).

NYCDaniella

Yes, you must stay on the strip. I think the Venetian is a great option. I've stayed there before and loved it, plus that's where Blue Man is. By the way, you are goin to love the Blue Man Group. I don't know which Cirque show you are going to see, but they are all fantastic. If you need any restaurant suggestions of any suggestions of where to go in general, I am a Vegas expert. I go 2-3 times a year.